“Sweetheart, look . . .” His mum’s gentle tone wrapped around him, bringing with it a semblance of calm. “Bonded or not, I just want you to be happy. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“Okay,” he managed, voice rough.
“Think carefully about what you want to do. Make your decision based on how you feel about Jason and if you want to spend the rest of your life with him as your mate. That’s the only thing that matters. I will love you no matter what you decide and be as proud of you as I am now.”
Tears filled his eyes, threatening to spill over. “Fuck, mum. You’re gonna make me cry.”
“Good.” She laughed softly. “I don’t want to be the only one.”
As he was preparing to say goodbye, his phone beeped with an incoming call.
Alec.
That was quick.
His hackles rose. Something was wrong, he felt it.
“Mum,” he said quickly. “I’ve got to go, I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Be careful,” she added, maybe sensing the urgency in his tone.
“Always.”
He ended the call and accepted Alec’s. “What’s wrong?”
“We’re at the flat Sharp shares with Davies.” He growled the words and Daryl’s stomach sank.
“The living room’s trashed. Sharp’s nowhere to be seen, Davies is unconscious, and there’s a fuckload of blood.”
“What do you need me to do?” Daryl got the feeling he hadn’t called just to fill him in.
“I’ve got the rest of my unit coming to track him down, so just let the other betas know to keep an eye out for him.”
“Yeah, okay.” He swallowed the disappointment of not being more involved. “How’s Rob?
Davies?” he added when Alec didn’t immediately answer.
“Tim’s with him now. He’s in a bit of a state, but he’ll live.”
“Good.” After all the progress they’d made during the pack bonding, he’d started to grow on Daryl. And he was pack. Something Sharp probably wouldn’t be for much longer if he’d done that to him. “Let me know when you find Sharp.”
“Will do.” Alec hung up, and Daryl began calling the other betas.
Jenn already knew, which made sense since he was in her unit, and was on her way to meet Alec at the flat. Daryl got through to Rachel, Paul, and Mike no problem, but Jason didn’t answer.
He didn’t pick up on the second or third time Daryl tried him either.
Daryl stared at his phone, unease creeping up his spine.
It was only just gone nine o’clock. Even if Jason had gone to bed early, his phone should’ve been on and next to his bed. As betas, they were supposed to be readily contactable by Cam and the
members of their unit. And this was Jason. He would never ignore a call.
Unless he couldn’t get to his phone.
Daryl tried him once more, and when it went to voicemail again, he grabbed his keys and ran for the door, dialling Alec instead. “Alec,” he said as soon as he picked up. “Jason’s not answering his phone. I’m headed to his flat now.”
“Shit.” The line went quiet for a moment, and then, “Me and Zac’ll meet you there.”
